Co-Win to have hourly slots instead of wider window

Co-Win to have hourly slots instead of wider window

Those Aged 45+ Can Register Now

Neha.Madaan@timesgroup.com

Pune:28.03.2021 

Vaccination slots on Co-Win will be fine-tuned to have hourly and two-hourly slots from the current wider “forenoon” and “afternoon” windows to benefit beneficiaries booking prior appointments, RS Sharma, who heads the committee overseeing the vaccine delivery system, told TOI on Saturday.

“Once we reach a higher scale of vaccination, the system will automatically start fine-tuning slots to hourly and two-hourly windows, compared to the existing forenoon and afternoon slot options. The objective is to encourage more and more online appointments instead of direct walk-ins at vaccination centres,” Sharma said.

He added, “Walk-ins can create uncertainties at times, as this process depends on availability of sufficient walk-in slots on a particular day. However, pre-registering and booking appointments online for specific time slots takes care of such issues and ensures a smooth, hassle-free process.”

Sharma said fine-tuned time slots are also likely to reduce crowding at vaccination centres and chances of people being turned away despite prior registration.

The wider “forenoon” and “afternoon” slots have caused issues as people were not being offered a more specific time window to visit a vaccination centre.

For instance, a person arriving at 1pm (part of the wider afternoon slot) may have to wait in a crowded queue for hours to get the shot. A narrower 1pm-2pm slot, instead, can improve the experience.

Sharma also said with the addition of the 45-plus age group, the country is likely to reach 50 lakh vaccinations per day after April 1. The average number of people receiving the jab daily currently stands at 25 lakh.

He said registrations have already started for people from this priority group. “Anyone aged 45 or above can now start registering on Co-Win website as changes have already been made to the system. Those scheduling appointments in this age group for April 1, or after that, will not be required to carry a comorbidity certificate,” he added.

Senior health ministry officials said Co-Win has been prepared to handle the extra load.

“The system will not crash,” an official said. The beneficiaries from April will also include those who’re up for their second dose (especially Covaxin).

Ministry officials said they expect the number of Covid vaccine doses administered in India from April 1 to cross 40 lakh doses per day, or more. “The increase will be closely linked to states’ capacity and planning. But Co-Win is indeed prepared to handle so many vaccinations per day,” a health ministry official said.

The objective of hourly slots is to encourage more and more online appointments instead of direct walk-ins at vaccination centres